The cash-strapped Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) renewed its debt collection campaign by launching Operation Patala at the Botshabelo Mall on 8 April. The authority stressed that the campaign aimed to strengthen revenue collection and address long-standing service delivery challenges.
Lulama Titi-Odili, deputy mayor of the metro, led the delegation during the campaign.
During this operation, a significant number of residents were addressed about the importance of continuing to pay their municipal service accounts for services being rendered, highlighting the impact of non-payment on the municipality’s ability to deliver essential services.
In addition, Zuziwe Thekisho, chief financial officer, encouraged residents to partner with the city by keeping their municipal accounts up to date.
Last year, the metro indicated that debt from defaulting consumers, residents and businesses, including government departments, stood at R13 billion as of October.
The authority blamed the debt collection crisis largely on struggling households and indigent residents.
The municipality had introduced debt write-off policies to help residents on the growing indigent list while continuing to implement credit control measures, including water and electricity disconnections.
There were mixed reactions during the engagement on Operation Patala in Botshabelo, with some residents lamenting discrepancies in their municipal accounts and inconsistent refuse collection.
They blame this for illegal dumping.
The demand for employment and the creation of sustainable work opportunities was repeatedly raised. Some residents pointed out that the unemployment crisis negatively impacts their livelihoods.
Residents insisted that the municipal authority must improve its system too.
